At the core of its creative concept is a series of bold thematic worlds — most notably “Cirque de Vintage” (and similar curated themes such as Cirque de Paris) — where guests are welcomed by a sparkling, star-lit reception, greeted by showgirls or performers, and guided through an evening that feels like stepping into a glamorous old-world circus meets modern cabaret. Aerial performers, stilt walkers, and charismatic entertainers populate the space, while ambient lighting, dynamic AV production and creative design elements transform the Big Top into a vibrant festival of sight and sound.

What truly makes this Christmas offering unique is its combination of theatricality and flexibility. It can host up to 1,500 standing guests while still delivering an intimate, bespoke feel through bespoke décor, luxe catering, and professional event direction — bringing clients’ visions to life from arrival to after-party. This bold fusion of spectacle, storytelling, and premium event delivery has cemented Bloomsbury Big Top as one of London’s most Instagrammable and memorable Christmas party venues.

At Bloomsbury Big Top we create an unforgettable festive atmosphere by turning the venue into a vibrant world of celebration and wonder from the moment guests arrive. The festive journey begins as guests enter a sparkling star lit reception area, complete with plush seating, elegant bars and ambient lighting that sets a glamorous and welcoming mood straight away. This space feels like a celebration in itself and invites guests to relax, mingle and soak up the atmosphere with a glass of fizz in hand.

The décor throughout the event reflects a creative thematic vision such as vintage circus, Parisian glamour or circus of lights. Rich fabrics, artful centrepieces and dramatic staging transform the space into something extraordinary. Awe inspiring aerial rigs, festoon lighting and dynamic decorative lighting immerse guests in a world that feels magical and festive. Lighting design in the main Big Top space plays a key role in building energy and excitement, with warm glow tones and moving colour washes that make every moment feel cinematic.

At the Bloomsbury Big Top and through Awesome Events we make sure that sustainability and social responsibility are more than just buzzwords, they are part of how we operate and the festive experience we deliver. The venue has invested in significant changes to reduce its environmental footprint, including upgrading infrastructure to cut the use of fossil fuels which has led to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions and a move towards more efficient power usage. As part of this commitment, the venue recycles materials wherever possible, from carpets at the end of the event season to other stage and décor components, and has actively reduced its reliance on single use plastics by promoting reusable and biodegradable alternatives. Leftover food from events is thoughtfully diverted from waste streams by partnering with local food banks and charities so that good food goes to those in need instead of being thrown away. Guests attending an Awesome event indirectly contribute to environmental initiatives such as tree planting through partnerships with organisations that restore forests and enhance biodiversity, reinforcing a connection between celebration and positive ecological impact. On the social responsibility front Awesome Events and Bloomsbury Big Top have a track record of supporting community causes, opening the venue for charity events that give children and families memorable experiences and donating time and expertise to organisations that benefit vulnerable groups. These combined efforts help to ensure that the festive season is not only joyful and memorable for guests but also considerate of the planet and the community around it.

At the Bloomsbury Big Top, Awesome Events take menus, catering and drinks packages seriously because they play a central role in elevating the guest experience and making the festive celebration feel truly special. From the moment guests arrive they are welcomed with a sparkling reception where a glass of fizz or a chosen welcome drink immediately sets a celebratory tone and helps to kick off the evening with warmth, indulgence and anticipation. Shortly afterwards everyone is called through to enjoy a sumptuous three course seated dinner, crafted by the venue’s experienced in-house catering team who focus on quality presentation, balanced flavours and seasonal appeal that suits a wide range of palates and dietary preferences. Typical festive menus showcase refined starters such as inventive arancini or beetroot inspired dishes, followed by carefully cooked mains like pan roasted chicken supreme with seasonal vegetables or thoughtfully prepared plant based options, and finished with indulgent desserts such as chocolate torte or vegan friendly sweet treats that make each course feel like part of a festive journey rather than just a meal.
Guests can enhance their dining experience with a variety of drinks packages that are designed to keep conversation flowing and spirits high throughout the night. These include options for unlimited beers, wine and soft drinks as well as packages that extend to prosecco and spirits tokens, meaning groups can tailor their choice based on style and pace of celebration. By allowing drinks to be enjoyed at the table and during the reception before dinner, the offering encourages guests to relax and mingle, bringing a sense of generosity and ease that flows seamlessly into the entertainment that follows.

At Bloomsbury Big Top the Awesome Events team ensure smooth running and high quality delivery by combining deep experience, careful planning and full service production so that every detail is managed from start to finish. From the first enquiry our dedicated event managers work directly with clients to understand requirements and guide them through the organisational process, meaning expectations are clear and logistics are handled well before the day of the event arrives. This long term planning and client collaboration builds confidence and reduces stress by ensuring nothing is overlooked, from seating and catering arrangements to entertainment and technical setups.
Behind the scenes the team use their in-house expertise in event management, production, AV and FX, giving them full control over core elements like lighting, sound, staging and theming rather than relying on disparate external suppliers. By centralising these services the team can maintain consistently high quality and react quickly to any changes on the day, keeping the event flowing with minimal disruption.

At the Bloomsbury Big Top Awesome Events deliver a truly standout entertainment experience that keeps guests talking long after the party ends. From the moment people arrive they are greeted by showstopping circus and vintage themed acts that set the tone for a night of spectacle and fun, such as can-can dancers, aerial performers and charismatic performers weaving through the venue to create an immersive environment right from the start. These world-class acts continue throughout dinner with mesmerizing stage entertainment that complements the three course meal and brings energy and wow factor to every moment.
After dinner the party evolves with a dynamic mix of activities designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes. Guests can dance the night away to a professional disco and DJ playing an energetic soundtrack, step into a fun casino area complete with croupiers and games for playful competition, or strike a memorable pose in a themed photo booth that adds a light hearted interactive element to the evening.

At the Bloomsbury Big Top our Christmas event and catering stand out from competitors in London’s festive market because we combine a truly immersive party experience with an all-in-one service model that most venues simply do not offer. The space itself is unlike a traditional function room or hotel ballroom: a purpose-built Big Top marquee in central Bloomsbury creates an atmosphere that feels exciting and memorable from the first moment guests arrive, complete with glamorous themed reception areas and dramatic lighting that sets the mood instantly.
What sets us further apart is that Awesome Events manage every aspect of the experience in-house rather than outsourcing key elements. Our internal event managers work directly with clients from first enquiry through to event delivery, and our sister production company provides lighting, sound, staging, themed décor and AV technology tailored to each party’s creative concept. That means the design, technical execution and guest journey all feel seamless and cohesively produced rather than assembled from disconnected supplier pieces.
Finally, the flexibility of the venue means we can produce both shared festive nights and fully bespoke exclusive hire events while delivering excellent service, quality food and extraordinary entertainment at every scale. That combination of creative theming, technical excellence, integrated catering and personalised event support is what truly sets our Christmas offering apart from the competition.